The morning sun spilled through the tall glass buildings of Manhattan, painting streaks of gold over the busy streets. Maya Hayes stood in front of the gleaming tower of Cole Enterprises, her heart thudding faster than the taxis rushing past. She had dreamed of this moment for years—a chance to work for one of the most successful corporations in the country.
But as she looked up at the massive silver logo shining against the sky, she couldn't help feeling a strange chill under her excitement. Something about this place felt both new and familiar, like a melody she'd once known but forgotten the words to.
She straightened her blazer, drew in a steadying breath, and whispered to herself, "You've got this, Maya. It's just another job. A fresh start."
Inside, the lobby buzzed with quiet elegance. The floor gleamed like marble water, and modern art lined the walls. Everyone looked sharp, professional, confident. Maya adjusted the strap of her leather bag and walked toward the receptionist's desk, hoping her nervous smile didn't give her away.
"Good morning," the receptionist said warmly. "You must be Ms. Hayes. Mr. Cole's new executive assistant?"
Maya blinked. "Yes. That's me."
The woman handed her a visitor's pass. "You're right on time. Take the elevator to the twenty-fifth floor. HR will meet you there before you begin."
"Thank you," Maya replied, tucking the pass onto her blazer.
As the elevator doors closed around her, she let out a shaky sigh. It had taken years of late nights, rejections, and hard work to reach this point. She'd earned her degree, rebuilt her résumé, and finally been chosen by one of the most powerful CEOs in the business world.
This was her chance to prove herself—to everyone who'd once doubted her, and maybe to herself most of all.
When the elevator chimed and opened onto the executive floor, Maya stepped into a hallway lined with glass offices and minimalist décor. Everything gleamed with quiet authority—the kind that whispered wealth and power.
A woman with a neat bun and tablet approached her. "Ms. Hayes? I'm Clara from HR. Welcome to Cole Enterprises. Mr. Cole is eager to meet you after orientation."
Maya smiled politely. "Thank you. I'm excited to be here."
"Of course," Clara said, leading her down the hall. "You'll find Mr. Cole to be a very kind and professional boss. Demanding, but fair. He values loyalty and precision."
Maya nodded as she listened, trying to absorb every word. Still, something inside her stirred at the name—Cole. She'd heard it before, in another life, another chapter. Ethan Cole. But it couldn't be the same person. The world was full of Coles.
Right?
Clara spent the next half hour showing Maya around, reviewing schedules, policies, and passwords. When they reached the end of the corridor, Clara smiled and gestured toward a glass office with a breathtaking city view.
"Your desk will be here—just outside Mr. Cole's office," she said. "He should be arriving any minute now."
Maya's fingers tightened around her folder. Her pulse raced. "Oh—he's coming now?"
"Yes," Clara said. "He's always early. You'll like him. Everyone does."
Maya forced a small laugh. "That's… good to hear."
The moment Clara disappeared, Maya sat at her new desk and exhaled. The city glittered beyond the glass like a thousand possibilities. She busied herself arranging pens, notes, and her tablet—anything to distract from the rising nerves.
Then she heard it—the sound of footsteps. Confident, steady, and familiar in a way that made her skin prickle.
She froze.
The door to the main office opened. A tall man entered, his presence commanding the air before he even spoke. He wore a perfectly tailored charcoal suit, his tie straight, his stride sure. His dark hair was neatly styled, his jaw clean and strong, but it was his eyes that stopped her breath—those warm, steady hazel eyes she hadn't seen in five years.
"Maya?"
The name rolled off his tongue like an old memory, both fragile and sharp.
Her throat went dry. The folder in her hand nearly slipped. "Ethan?" she whispered, unable to hide the disbelief in her voice.
For a moment, the world narrowed to just the two of them. The soft hum of the office faded, replaced by the pounding of her heart.
He looked stunned too, though his composure returned quickly—the signature calm that had always drawn people to him. "It's been… a long time," he said quietly.
Maya's voice wavered. "You're—my new boss?"
Ethan's lips curved into a faint, bittersweet smile. "Seems fate still has a sense of humor."
She couldn't speak. Memories flooded back—the laughter, the late-night talks, the heartbreak. The day she'd walked away, leaving behind the man she'd once believed she'd marry.
Ethan looked older now, more refined, but the warmth in his eyes was the same. It made her chest tighten painfully.
"Would you like to step into my office for a moment?" he asked gently.
Maya hesitated. She wanted to say no, to walk away and protect the fragile peace she'd rebuilt. But professionalism held her in place. "Of course, Mr. Cole."
He smiled faintly at her formality, then gestured toward his glass office.
Inside, everything was sleek and modern—mahogany desk, city skyline beyond the windows, a faint scent of cedar and cologne she remembered too well.
He motioned for her to sit. "I didn't know you'd applied here," he said softly.
"I didn't know you were the CEO," she replied, her tone polite but distant.
Ethan leaned back in his chair, studying her carefully. "You've changed."
"So have you," Maya said, her gaze steady. "You're… taller, richer, and still good at catching people off guard."
He laughed quietly, though his eyes held something deeper. "I suppose I deserve that."
Silence stretched between them, filled with everything they weren't saying.
Finally, Ethan said, "I know we have a history, Maya. But I promise you—if this makes you uncomfortable, we can reassign you to another department."
Maya shook her head quickly. "No. This job means a lot to me. I can handle it."
His lips curved into that gentle, familiar smile. "Still as strong as ever."
She looked away, fighting the storm of emotions stirring inside. Don't let him in, she warned herself. Not again.
Ethan cleared his throat, returning to business. "Then let's get started. You'll manage my schedule, handle confidential correspondence, and coordinate upcoming board meetings. You'll also accompany me to client dinners and events when needed. Is that acceptable?"
"Yes, sir," she said, her voice crisp.
"Sir?" he repeated with a smirk. "I don't think I've ever heard you call me that before."
"Get used to it," she replied, rising from her seat. "This is work now, not… whatever we were."
For a second, something flickered in his eyes—regret, maybe longing—but he nodded. "Understood, Ms. Hayes."
She turned to leave, but his voice stopped her.
"Maya?"
She paused, her back still to him.
"I'm glad you're here," he said softly. "More than you know."
Her fingers tightened around the door handle. "Good to know, Mr. Cole," she said before stepping out.
Once outside, Maya sank into her chair and tried to steady her breathing. Around her, the office hummed with normalcy—phones ringing, keyboards tapping, people chatting softly. But inside her, everything felt upside down.
He was her boss.
The man who'd broken her heart was now the man signing her paycheck.
And worse—her heart still reacted to him like no time had passed at all.
As the day went on, Maya buried herself in work. She scheduled meetings, answered calls, and pretended not to notice every time Ethan's door opened. She could feel his gaze sometimes—gentle, curious—but she never looked up.
Around lunchtime, he stepped out, jacket in hand. "Maya, I'm heading to a client lunch. Would you like to join? It'll give you a sense of how we handle negotiations."
She blinked, caught off guard. "Oh—I… probably shouldn't. It's only my first day."
"Nonsense," he said, his smile disarming. "Consider it training."
Something in his tone made it hard to refuse. Against her better judgment, she followed.
They ended up at a quiet restaurant overlooking the Hudson River. The view was breathtaking, the table private. Ethan discussed business with smooth confidence, but every so often, his eyes softened when they met hers.
When the clients left, silence settled between them again.
"You're doing well," Ethan said. "You always were good at keeping things together."
"Thank you," Maya said quietly. "I've had practice."
He studied her for a long moment, then said softly, "You look happy, Maya. I hope you are."
She met his gaze steadily. "I am. Or at least, I was."
Ethan's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond. Instead, he signaled for the bill.
Back at the office, Maya worked late, determined to prove herself. When the floor grew quiet, Ethan emerged from his office again.
"You should go home," he said gently. "It's been a long first day."
"I just need to finish this report."
"You always did overwork yourself."
She smiled faintly. "Old habits die hard."
He hesitated, then stepped closer, lowering his voice. "I meant what I said earlier. I'm glad you're here. I don't know what happened back then—why we let everything fall apart—but maybe…"
"Don't," she whispered, standing abruptly. "Don't do this."
"Maya—"
"I'm here to work, Ethan. That's all. Let's keep it that way."
For a moment, he looked as if he might argue, but then he nodded slowly. "All right. If that's what you want."
"It is," she said firmly, though her voice trembled.
As she left that night, the city lights shimmered against the glass tower, and her reflection stared back—composed, professional, pretending not to be breaking inside.
Because despite everything she told herself, despite all the years and the pain…
Her heart still remembered him.
And that terrified her more than anythig.